Shah Alam High Court sentences man to 16 years for causing his two-month-old daughter’s death in 2022, with the sentence to run from his arrest date.
SHAH ALAM: A man was sentenced to 16 years in prison for causing the death of his two-month-old daughter.
The Shah Alam High Court handed down the sentence to Muhammad Danial Iman Mohd Sharif after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin ordered the prison term to run from the date of the accused’s arrest in July 2022.
In his grounds of judgment, Judge Aslam stated that public interest must be prioritised by the court in any criminal sentencing.
“The accused pleaded guilty unconditionally and was sentenced to 16 years in prison starting from his date of arrest,” said Judge Aslam.
He added that the accused, dissatisfied with the sentence, has now filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
The accused was charged with causing the baby’s death at his home in Bandar Tasik Puteri, Rawang, between July 30 and 31, 2022.
The charge was framed under Section 304(a) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years and a possible fine.
According to the facts of the case, the accused had an argument with his wife on July 29, 2022, which led to a physical altercation.
After his wife went to sleep, the accused was left alone with the infant in the living room.
He then picked the victim up from a cushion on the floor and slammed her down, causing the baby’s body from the waist up to hit the floor.
The wife later woke up, saw the baby crying, and fed her.
The following day, the wife heard the baby crying continuously and felt uneasy as this had never happened before.
On July 31, the accused again acted out by yanking the victim’s hand, pressing on her stomach, and slamming her onto a cushion.
During this act, the baby’s head hit the corner of a table, causing injury.
The wife noticed that the baby’s lips were bleeding and her breathing was shallow.
The accused informed her that the victim had “fallen” and hit her lips on a wooden pallet table.
She then asked the accused to take their child to a clinic.
Investigations revealed the cause of death was intracranial hemorrhage caused by blunt force trauma.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Nabilah Abd Rashid.
The accused was represented by lawyer Santhakumari.
